Industrial lathes are among the most widely used machine tools in the metalworking industry. These machines are employed in most industrial processes where metals or other materials are machined to produce a wide variety of parts or shapes.

The value of lathes lies in their multifunctionality, their ability to optimize production, and their capacity to redirect human capital within the industry. Industrial lathes are machines that stand out for their structure, their renowned versatility, and their practical implementation.

Main structure of an industrial lathe

Although industrial lathes can be horizontal, vertical, or CNC (Computer Numerical Control) lathes, they generally all share the same components, which vary little from model to model. Some of these essential elements are described below:

• Bed: This is the structure used to support the lathe. Other components of the machine rest on it and are essential for its operation. It is capable of dissipating the vibrations emitted during the machining process, although this task is sometimes facilitated by accessories.
• Norton gearbox: This gearbox consists of several parts, including pulleys, gears, and belts. The combination of these elements allows for adjustments to the rotation speed using external levers operated by the user. This gearbox enables the lathe to operate automatically.
• Headstock: This is the part of the lathe that holds the workpiece. In addition, this component is responsible for rotating the workpiece during the machining process.
• Tailstock: These heads can be moved manually or automatically along the lathe bed, thanks to the guides on which they are mounted and the operator's input or the machine tool's action. They are sometimes used to fix or hold large workpieces. If the tailstock needs to be locked, it has a lever or electronic locking mechanism.
• Tool carts: as their name suggests, these are carts that transport the various tools used in the machining process. These carts have greater independence in terms of movement, thanks to the available guides and mechanisms.

General operation of industrial lathes

A lathe consists of several machines, parts, and tools. While one segment of the machine rotates the object, material, or workpiece, another part performs the cuts, fissures, or grooves. In industrial terms, this process is known as machining geometrically shaped parts.

Traditional or basic lathes are powered by the movement of an operator's upper and lower limbs. In this case, human force is responsible for triggering the lathe's action. Basic operations can be performed on them after the workpiece has been moved, such as cutting, grooving, or cracking, among others.

More advanced models, on the other hand, can consist of two or more carriages, for performing tasks requiring greater precision and handling a wider variety of materials. The carriages can be programmed according to the specific needs of the industry or operator and can move in different directions.

Diversification of lathes

Industrial lathes are among the machine tools that many factories and workshops have integrated into their standard manufacturing processes. This equipment is primarily used in the automotive, electrical, computer, dental, woodworking, and plastics industries, as well as for manufacturing tools, instruments, and other equipment specific to these and other sectors.

Depending on the needs of each particular sector, the lathe can have different characteristics, both in its operation and in its components, in order to generate the desired results.

Most prominent branches of lathe work

Revolver turning

A sturdy, rotating metal piece, which includes several plates in turn, is used to perform the required mechanized cuts.

Copying lathe

It is responsible for reproducing an established pattern. Basically, it "copies" a template to recreate the pieces.

Automatic turning

It uses CNC (computer numerical control) technology to produce smaller parts, classified as small or medium, or to fix details requiring high precision.